Bayern Munich entered the quarter final stage of DFB Pokal cup after a narrow 1-0 win over Wolfsburg.
The defending champions reached the next knockout stage courtesy of a defelected goal from Douglas Costa in the first half. Bayern Munich are in the quest of winning the trophy for the second consecutive time.
Carlo Ancelotti went with a strong lineup considering the fact that Bayern have to play three games in ten days. Philipp Lahm and David Alaba returned to the defence. Mats Hummels and Javi Martinez retained their place from the team that suffered draw against Schalke on Saturday. Thiago was able to make his comeback after recovering from injury.
The Spaniard completed the midfield three with Xabi Alonso and Arturo Vidal. Ancelotti retained the front three of Arjen Robben, Doglas Costa and Robert Lewandowski as Thomas Muller had to satisfy with a role on the bench. Joshua Kimmich was also among the substitutes after missing the last game due to illness.
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Bayern Munich started the game very brightly. The home side were dominating the game as they played aggressively in the final third of the pitch. Bayern’s first chance came from the right flank as Lahm made a marauding run on the flank and then squaring it for Arjen Robben. Robben could not a make a perfect contact with the ball and his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
Lahm and Robbern were creating a chaos on the right flank as they were creating numerous problems for Wolfsburg’s defence. Bayern were rewarded for their aggressive play after Thiago set up the goal for Douglas Costa at the ede of the box. The Brazilian blasted it on the target and the ball got a wicked deflection which didn’t allow the goalkeeper to save it from going in the goal.
Bayern Munich continued to dominate possession and Mats Hummels got a golden opportunity to double his side’s lead from a setpiece. The German missed a free header from close range after an inch perfect delivery from Alonso. Ancelotti’s men went into the half with a one goal lead, however their performance demanded more than one goal.
The home side continued their domination in the second half. Martinez and Hummels got couple of chances from the setpieces, but couldn’t guide the ball into the net. Bayern created ample of amount of half chances but failed to increase their lead. Wolfsburg were able to test Neuer only once after Yunus Malli got a golden chance to equalize, but his shot was easily tipped away by the German goalkeeper.
This performance is surely promising for Ancelotti as his team has been rusty lately. His team were creating numerous chances as they just need to find the efficiency in front of the goal. The Italian will be hoping that his forwards start finding the net more ahead of crucial Champions League game against Arsenal.